MONUMENT NO. 14792

A medieval monastic cell, partly excavated and consolidated, in Ravenstonedale churchyard. Probably a cell of the Gilbertine Priory of St Mary at Watton. Remains of the North and east range of the cloister, which lay to the North of the church, are of 3 phases.

Ruins and foundations, immediately N of St Oswald's Church (Name NY 72 04), are presumably those of a small establishment or cell of the Gilbertine Canons of Watton (Yorks) to whom the vill of Ravenstonedale was given probably late in the 12th c. The remains stand in places to a height of 5'-6' and the foundations were excavated in 1928-9. The SE wing was perhaps the earliest part and the remains appear to date from the 14th-15th c. (1)

Full excavation report, photos, etc. (2-3)

NY 7223 0428. The exposed remains are partly free-standing and partly below ground level. No recognisable features remain to date the structures which appear to consist of some nondescript external walling with internal walls dividing up small rooms. There is also a drain or culvert leading to the stream on the east side. A levelled platform to the north, outside the churchyard wall, probably represents the site of further remains. The whole is now very overgrown and in poor condition. Surveyed at 1:2500. (4)

The remains beside the church were re-excavated in 1988-9 and afterwards consolidated. They are now in a stable condition. (5a, 5)

Listed as a cell possibly overseeing the lands held here by the Gilbertine Priory of St Mary at Watton. (6)

NY 722 043 Foundations N of St Oswald's Church; scheduled. (7)

The remains include the foundations of a 14th or 15th century pele tower. Plan and illustration. (8)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, England 1936 An inventory of the historical monuments in Westmorland